Hopper-cak-door-seguring means



Jan. 27,' 1931. w- E. wlNE 1,790,295

HOPPER CAR- DOOR SEGURING MEANS Filed April 16, 1925 2 Sheets-snee?I 1 Jan. 27, 1931. w. E. WINE i' 1,790,295

HOPPER CAR DOOR SECURING MEANS FiledApril 16. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jani'l27, 1931 Y Y A 'Y p l UNiTEn STATES PATENT oFFicE, V

WILLVIAMnnWINn or TOLEDO, OHIOv HorrEncARLDooasEoUmNG.MEANS Application filed April 16, 1925.' Serial No. 23,729.

The invention relates to .railway car Vco1iseparate entity/f adapted for attachment to alstruction and-more particularly to means for ready existing hopper car doors Without inholding the doorsfoi' a hopper car in. closed volving` any material lchanges in the Vconposition. l y struction and arrangement thereof.

' T he primary object of the invention, geni- Still another object of my inif'ention is to 55 erally stated, is to provide, in combination .provide a door secnringbracket including a with. a. nio-vably mounted door, 'securing pivoted latch in which the parts are so' placed nieans, they latter being adapted to hold the that the latch is located Within, the contines door ineither closedor partly 'closed posiof the door stiffener to protect the saine lo tionand being provided with meansivhereby lagigainst injury, and the rigid .bracket being 6G the door may be v'forced from partly closed adapted. to embrace the end of the .door to fully closed position. f f -stilener and serving Ua reinforcement y Another `object of the invention is'to pio thereof.` l l ,f vide a d0-or `securing means embodying a Thereiare other objects oftheiiiveiition fined retainer anda givoted latch, oneof said as will hereinafter' more i'ully `inipear from 65 members being mounted on a. fixed portion oi'l the detailed description oi the accompanying' the car and they other carried by the door, drawings wherein I have illustrated. af single the pivoted latch being' arranged and embodiment of the device. y adapted to coact with successive edges on Referring tothe drawings wherein like reithe iXed retainer. 'Y ei'ence characters designate :corresponding Still another object of the invention is to `parts throughout the several views provide a door securing mechanism embody- Figure l isa side elevation of a portion of ing a supporting bracket carried by the door a hoppercar vand its door equippedivith'my member and adapted to embrace thev door Vsecuring mechanism, thedoor being shown in stiiigener, said bracket being provided with a ifully'closed positioin i l l 7a Vpivoted latch member, the lattereooperating Figurev Qfisasection taken substantially on with 'a `retaining member positioned ad]a .the line 2-2 of Figure l, looking in the direccent a` iree edge of said door. t tion ot' the arrows and shoiving ay plan ot the Still another object is toV provide` incomii'icclianisin. i bination with a channel door stiifener a Figurclisavicii' looking at the outer face 80 biacketA member adapted vto embrace the` .oi the door. i Y y V f saine, a portion of said bracket being'adaptedt .Figure 4t is a viewsimilarto Figure l but fte extend. Within the stiiilener` and form a showing the door in partly closed position. support for a pivoted latching meinberf Figure 5 View similar to Figure i2, show- 35 Still another object is to provide, in com? ing the door in partly closed position and 85 L5 ment a t `The l'iopperv maybe reinforced adjacent the bination with a .pivotally mounted door havillustrating the employment of a pry bar. ingV a channel stiiener member Aattached ieterring to tliedrawings in detail, the inithereto, a pivot bracket overlying the end merall designates aportion of a car lioppern portion of said stii'lener, a portion of the only the end sheet being shown, which pepper is bracket extending Within thestiifener, and a has the usual discharge opening Qior the cai' latch member pivotedto the said portion of lading, 4the bottoni 3 being inclined as, is a the bracket and disposed ivithin the stiiiencommon practice. .fSecnredt-o theend sheet l ing member, and means rcarried by the at the dischargeopeningthere maybea z ibar bracket for locking the latch against moif'e-V or thelike 4 providing afseat 5 for the dooivG.

A still further object ot' the invention is `to loiveredgeof the opening by a. transvefseiy 'provide a structure' of this character in which extending angle bar 7 serving to give it vthe .the movable latch, together with its supportnecessary stiffness and prevent buckling unj ing bracket andlocking cam7 may be initially der strain. .lt is knoivnthatdoors of the type te assembled and treated as a complete 'and shown are hinged immediately above'the dis- MES charge opening of the hopper, the speciic hinging means being immaterial and there fore not shown. The door is preferably pro vided` at its free edges with a stiffening flange 8 which extends outwardly with respect to the hopper. Secured to the outer face of the door is a transversely extendingstiifener 9 here shown as of channel formation with its open side disposed against the door and its upper and lower or side webs terminating in flanges or attaching portions 10 lying flat againt the door and riveted or otherwise suitably secured thereto.

In carrying out the invention l provide a locking mechanisminvolving a latch supporting bracket designated generally by the numeral 11, which bracket is generally T-sliaped in outline. The bracket includes upper and lower arm portions 12 and 1B connected by an outer portion 14 which is provided with an extension 15 preferably of greater length than the arms 12 and 13. This bracket is applied with the extension 15 located within the channel of the stiffener 9 and withthe arm portions 12 and 13 arranged in embracing relation to the sides of the channel and engaging against the iianges 1() thereof, the arm connecting portion 14 being disposed against the door 6 immediately outwardly of the end ot' the stilfener, thereby forming a partial closure therefor. The bracket may be held in place by rivets or the like 16 passing through the arms 12 and 13 and through the stitlener flanges 10 well as the door itself.

Located within the channel of the stitfener is an elongated latch 17 which has one end projecting beyond the side edge ot the door and which has its other end pivoted between the front or outer wall or web oi therstiffener and the extension 15, as for instance by means of a rivet 18, which may pass through the stiffener. the extension, and also the door, it' desired. rllhis latch designed to cooperate with a keeper to be described and may be held in its locked'position by means ot a locking cani 19 pivoted uponl'he blanket arni 1i` as by means ot a rivet 20 which passes through the cam, the arm 12, the flange oi the stiii'ener, and the door. This cam is represented'as pivoted at one end and its tree end is adapted to enter the channel ot the stilfener so as to engage and hold the latch in its lowermost position. lt is preferable to provide a stop lug 21 on the bracket engageable by the lower edge ofthe latch for limiting its downward swinging movement when the door is open.

The means on the car cooperating with the latch for supporting the door in its closed position consists ot' a retainer or keeper 22 secured, as by means of rivets 23, to the inclined side sheet otthehopper and may vadvantageously be cast as a base plate having outwardly projecting stiffening ribs orilanges 80, the base plate of the retainer 22 carried by the outer inclined side sheet having a portion which projects beyond the discharge opening ot the hopper disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane ot swinging movement of the adjacent edge oit the door, thus forming an acute angle with the portion ot the base plate overlying the side sheet and also an acute angle with the hinge axis of the door. T he part of the retainer projecting beyond the discharge opening ot the hopper is preferably formed with two latch cooperating ledges 25 and 27 having inclined approach planes 24 and 26 leading to each ot the respective ledges.

rllhatportion of the latch which is adapted to coact or engage with the projecting portion oit the retainer is beveled or inclined, as shown at 31, thereby obtaining an extended liiearing surface between the latch and retainer and permitting the employment of a stronger and more etlicient latch and a shorter retainer member.

Assuming that the door has been opened to permit discharge ol the car lading and that it is desired to effect reclosing, it istirst nccessary to swing the door, by any means or in any suitable manner until the latch 17 will engage and ride up along the incline 24 and drop into engagement with the first ledge 25. lVhcn this occurs the door willbe held in the partly closed position illustrated in l `igures 4land To eli'ect complete closure, especially when the door has become warped or distorted, use may be made of apry bar, indicated at 28, which pry bar may beinserted through a hole 29 in the fixed keeper or retainer 22, with its free end engaging against the door or against the stiliener. vlVhen Vthe operator pulls the .outer `end of the-pry bar outwardly or away 'tronrthe hopper door it is evident that the prybar will Afulcrum on the edge o't the hole 29 while its inner end will exert the necessary pressure against the doorto swing it against its Feat, the latch-17 moving out ot engagement with the ledge 25, riding upV the incline and droppinginto' engagement with the ledge 2T. Subsequent to this final closing, the locking cam 19 may be swung down so that its tree end will engage the latch and hold it against displacement or disengagement from the final ledge 27.

A lhopper car door securing or locking inechanisn'l vconstructed 'in accordance with this invention is simple inasmuch as it embodies only three parts to-be applied to the door. the bracket structure `having' theaddi- 'tional advantage oiL being a single piece capable otiormationas a casting and application to the door without presenting any obstacles or diiiiculties to be overcomev "lt is apparent that this latch mechanism may be used to replace other types and to be mounted at the holes provided for or left upon the removal ot ordinary types, the device being` consequently more or= less of a complete and .eparatc entity adapted torattaclnnent to existlil) , ations therein.

:in adequate seat and stop for the pivoted vlatch so that undue stra in on its pivot Will be entirely avoided. i lVliile I have shown and described a pre- '.teired'embodiment of the invention, it should beunderstood that l reserve the right to make such changes inthe form, construction and arrangement of parts as will notdepart itroin* 'the spirit oi the invention or the scope oi' the appended claims.

Having noiv described my invention, what l claim is:

l. A railway car provided With ahopperY having a discharge opening, a liingedly mounted door for closing the opening, a still'- ener mountedon the outer face of the door in transverse relation thereto, a bracket structure secured to the s'titfener and the door outivardly of the end of therforinei" and having portions embracingly engagingV against the opposite sides ofthe stifl'ener, a latch piv oted on said bracket structure and`projecting beyond the side edge of' the door, and a lined retainer mounted on the side or' thehopper for vcooperation With said latch. l

A railway car provided with a hopper having a. discharge opening, a hingedly inounted door for closing the'opening, a stitiener mounted on Ythe outer face of the door in transverse relation thereto, abracket structure secured to the stifener andthe door outwardly of the end of' the former and having portions en'il'ii-acingly engaging against the opposite of the stiiiener, ya latch pivoted on said bracket structure and projecting litvond the side edge of thefdoor, and a iXed retainer mounted on 'the sideo't the hopper tor cooperation with said latch, the tXed retainer being provided With'spaced ledges and having inclined surfaces leading thereto whereby to conduct thel latch into engagement with the su ces'sive ledges when the `door is niovedto closed position. f

3. A railivaycar provided With a hopper having a y discharge opening, a hingedly mounted door for closing the opening, a stift-f ener mounted on the outer-face of the door in transverse relation thereto, abracket struc ture secured to the st'iiliener and tliedoor outwardly'ot the end or the i,oriner and havc ing portions embracingly engaging against Jhe opposite sides of the V'tilienen' a latch pivoted on said bracket structure and proiectin'g beyond the side edge `oit the door, and a lined retainer mounted on theside `of the hopper for cooperation with said latch, the lifted retainer being provided with spaced ledges and having inclined surfaces 'leading thereto whereby to conduct the'latcli into engagement With the successive ledges when the door is moved to closed position, and said Vfixed retainer having a transverse opening therethrough defining a iulcrum for a pry bar disposable therethrough and engage/able against the outer side of the stiliener.

el. in a railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening', a hinged door for closing the opening, a stii'l'ener secured to the outer iace of the door in transverse relation thereto, a bracket structure secured to the stiffeucr and the door and including arm portions 'disposedlagainst the sides of! the stille/ner. furtherincluding air arm' connectportion located outwardljf,r of the end of Athe stiii'ener 'and vfurther including an intermediate portion projecting into the stilfener,

a latch vpivoted on said intermediate portion Within tliefstiilener and projecting beyond thel side ot the door, and a vfixed ledged retainer on the hopper coacting With the latch. In a railway car provided-With a vhopper having'a discharge opening, a hinged door forclosing'the opening, a' stiiiiener secured to the outer face of the door iii transverse relation thereto, a bracket structure secured to the stiieiier and the door and including arm portions disposed against the. sides ot' 'the stiiiener, further includingan arm connect-r portion located outuf'a'rdly oi the end of the stiigiener and turther including anV intermediate portion projecting into the stiil'ener, Va latch pivoted on said intermediate portion :"ivithin the stilenerland proiecting beyond .the side ofthe door, 'a'iiXed ledged retainer on the hon )er coactine with the latch and a locking cani pivoted on Athe bracket structure eiitei'iorly oi' the stiliener and adapted to enter thereintoWhenin engagement with the latch.

(i. In a railway car provided with afhopper f having'a discharge opening, a hinged door for closing the opening, a `channel-shapml sriiieucr secured to the outer 'tace ofthe door intransverse relation thereto and hat/'ing its sides provided with outstanding flanges beer# ing againstV the door, a bracket structure formed as afsingle integral body includingl spaced arm portionsengaged against the o i )osite sides oi' the stiil'ener and against said l l v a 'outstanding flangesand secured thereto and to the door, the bracket structure further inf cludingv an arm connecting `portion 4located Vroutwardly of the end of the stiiiener hat against the outer lace oi the door, the bracket cture further including an intermediate unber projectingfronrsaid aini connectiii 'V hopper' side and cooperating with the latch.

7. ilu a railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a hinged doeil tor closing the opening, a channel-shaped stil'ener secured to the outer taceot the door in transverse relation thereto and having its sides provided with outstanding iianges bearing against the door, a bracket structure formed a single integral body including spaced arm portions engaged against the opposite sides of the stitl'ener and against said outstanding flanges and secured thereto and to the door, the bracket structure further including an arm connecting portion located outwardly ot the end ot the stiitener fiat against the outer tace ot the door, the bracket structure turther including an intermediate member projecting trom said arm connecting portion and located within the. channel in itat engagement. with the outer 'tace ot the door, a latch located within the stiilener and pivoted upon said intermediate member, the latch projecting beyond the side edge ol' the door, a ledged retainer secured on the hopper side and cooperating with the latch, and a locking cam pivoted upon said upper arm member and engageabie with the latch tor maintaining the same in engagement with the retainer member.

8. ln a railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a hinged door tor closing the opening, a channeled stili'ener secured to the outer i'ace ot' the door in transverse relation thereto with its open side disposed toward the door, a combined bearing and reinforcing bracket structure secured upon the stitiiener, a latch pivoted on said bracket structure and partly enclosed within the stiilener with its end projecting beyond the side ot the car, a iixed retainer on the side ot the hopper provided with ledges for cooperation with the latch, the ledges being located in relatively diterent positions whereby to require tivo dropping movements oi the latch when the door is moved to closed position, the retaining member having` inclined surfaces leading to the successive ledg s.

El. ln a railway car provided with ahopper having a discharge opening, a. hinged door for closing the opening, a channeled stiti'ener secured to the outer face ot the door in transverse relation thereto with its open side disposed to\-.'ard the door, a combined bearing and reintorcing bracket structure secured upon the stili'ener, a latch pivoted yon said bracket structure and partly enclosed with in the stil'ener with its end projecting beyond the side ot the car, a lined retainer on the` side of the hopper provided with ledges tor cooperation with the latch, the ledges. being located in relatively different positions whereby to require two dropping movements of the latch when the door is moved to closed position, the retaining "member having inclined surfaces leading to the `successive ledges, the retainer member having a portion projecting beyond the door when the latter is in closed position and said projecting portion being provided with a transverse hole tor the reception ot a pry bar disposable against the stitfener and out of contact with the. latch whereby the door may be forced to closed position.

10, A railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a hingedlv mounted door tor closing the opening, a stili"- ener mounted adjacent the tree edge of the door and terminating short ot a side edge thereof, a bracket secured to the door and having aA portion disposed between the end ot the stiti'ener and side edge ot the door, a latch pivoted to the bracket and projecting beyond the side edge ot the. door, and a fixed retainer mounted on the side et the hopper tor cooperating with the latch.

ll. A railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a hingedly mounted'd'oor tor closing the opening, a channel shaped stillener mounted on the door, a bracket having a plurality of arms. one ot said arms being located within the channel-shaped still'ener, a latch pivoted to he bracket, and a iiXed retainer mounted on the hopper Jfor cooperation with the latch.

12. A railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a hingedly mounted door for closing said opening, a channel-shaped stv-itfener secured to the door` a bracket having parallel arms. one ot' which is adapted to extend within the channel, a latch pivotally mounted upon one ot said arms, and a` tixed retainer mounted on the hopper for cooperation with the latch.

i3. A railway car provided with a hopper having an inclined side sheet, a hingedly mounted door for closing the discharge opening of th hopper, and means for securing said door in closed position, said means involving a latch, and a retainer secured to the hopper side sheet tor cooperating with said latch, said retainer being formed with abase plate having portions disposed 'n planes at acute angles to each other, the plane of one of said portions being substantially parallel to the inclined side sheet ot the hopper and the plane of the other ot said portions being substantially parallel to the plane of swinging inovement ot the adjacent edge of the door.

i4. A railway car provided with a hopper having a sloping side sheet, a hingedly mounted door for closing the discharge opening of the hopper, a latch pivotally mounted on the door, and a retainer secured to the sloping side sheet of the hopper in the plane thereof, said retainer having a. portion projecting outwardly beyond the said discharge opening ot the hopper for cooperating with the latch to support the door in closed posiwww hopper, said retainerhaving an inclined portion and a ledge, said latch being adapted to be operatively interposed between-said inclined portion and said ledge to support the door'in closed position and being provided with a beveled portion adapted to overlapV the inclined portionv of the retainer when in door supporting position. Y j

16. A railway car provided witha hopper `havinga discharge opening, a'door for closing the discharge opening, and means for supporting said door in closed position involving a retainer member lixedly mounted on the hopper and projecting beyond the dis charge opening thereof and a bar latchv member pivotally mounted on the door, the retainer being provided vwith a supporting ledgeand having an inclinedv portion spaced from the latter in the direction of the closed door, said latch being adapted to be operatively interposed between the ledge and the Vinclined portion of the retainer to maintain the door inclo-sed position, a portioncof one edge of said latch being beveled to overlap the inclined portion olil the retainer when the latch is in door supporting position.

17; A railway car provided with a hopper having a discharge opening, a door hingedly secured to the hopper for closing said discharge opening, a pivoted latch mounted onV the door adapted to swing in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the'latter, and a retainer fixedly secured to the hopper having a plurality of ledges for cooperating with the latch to support the doo-r in ditlerent4 positions of closure, said retainer Vbeing fashioned with inclined approach planes leading to each of said ledges and said latch being'provided with a beveled portion engageable with said inclined approach planes.

18. ln a railway car having a lading discllcargc opening, the combination with. a hinged door for closing said opening, the door being movable to open position under the influence ot gravity, a still'ening member secured to the door adjacent its free edge remote from the hinge axis thereof and extending substantially parallel thereto, the outer end of said stidener terminating inwardly ot the adjacent side edge of the door, a latch movably mounted on the door and operable in a plane substantially parallel to the main body portion thereof, a bracket rigidly secured to the 'car body and having a ledge for cooperatingiwith the latch to `retain the door in ,closed position, and a, member positioned between the side edge of the door and the adjacent outer end of the stiifener and having a portion directly connected to ,the latter, said member affording a supporting Vabut'- ment forv thelatch. r Y i n .19.. flna railway car having a lading discharge opening, the combinationr with a hinged door. forclosing said opening, the door'being'movableto open ,position under the influence ot'fvgravity, a stiliening member Vsecured tothe d oor adjacent its free edge remotey from the hinge aXis thereof and extend ing, substantially parallel thereto, V,a latch pivota'llymounted on y,the dOOrandoperable j in' 4a plane substantially'parallel to the. main body portion thereof, a bracket rigidly `se- ,cured to the-car body and having a ledgevfor Vcooperating with -the latch Vto retain the door `Vin closed position, and a memberoverlapping uid riveted to saidstiffener affordinga supporting abutment `for the latclnvsaid member having portions disposed on opposite sides of the latch when the latter is` in engagement with said bracket. i j

20. ln a railway car having a ladingdischarge opening,V the combination with -a hinged door for closing said opening, the door being movable to open positionnnder lthe influence of gravity, a 'stiifening member secured to the door adjacent its free edge remote from the hinge aXis 4thereof and eX- vtending substantially parallel thereto, the Vouter end of said stifener terminating inwardly of the adjacent side edge 'of the door, a latch movably mounted on the door and operable in a plane substantially parallel to the main body portion thereof, abraclret rigidly secured to the car body and having a ledge for cooperating with the latch to re{ tain the door in closed position, and a member carried by the doorhaving a portion in terposed between the outer end of the stitiener and the adjacent side edge of the door and a portion overlapping the stilener in a direction normal to the plane of the door, the said interposed portion of the member serving as a supporting abutment for the latch and the said overlapping portion thereof being rigidly connected to the sti'tl'encr whereby the load transmitted to the latch when the door is in closed position is comniunicatcd through the said member direct ly tothe door stiliener.

2l. In a railway car having a lading discharge opening,- the combination with a hinged door `for closing said opening, the door being movable to open position under the inlluence of gravity, a stillening-member secured to the door adjacent its free edge remote from the'hinge axis thereof and extending substantially parallel thereto, a latch pivotally mounted on the door and operable in a plane substantially parallel to the main body portion thereof, a bracket rigidly secured to the car body having a. ledge for c0- operating with the latch to retain the door in closed pofsit-ion7 and a member having a portion extendingat an angle to the hinge axis ot the door constituting a supporting abutment for the latch, said member being riveted to the stiffener adjacent its outer end in overlappinLr relation thereto.

Q2. In a railway car having a lading disrfhargrc opening', the combination with a hinged door for closing said opening, the door being; movable to open position under the influence of gravity, of a stifening member secured to the door adjacent its free edge and entending substantially parallel with the latter, a latch pivotally mounted on the door and operable in a plane substantially parallel with the main body portion thereof, a bracket rigidly secured to the car body hav ing a ledge for cooperating with the latch to maintain the door in closed posit-ionr` and a member having a portion extendingatan angle to the stifteningj member and interposed between one end of the latter and the adjacent side edge of the door, said member being: rigidly secured to the Stiliicning' member and constituting a supporting abutment for the latch when the latter is in door snpporting position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' VILLIAM E. VNE. 

